England coach Brian Ashton is set to overhaul his England squad for the Six Nations.

Ashton, who coached England to the World Cup final in October, is expected to name a number of young players in his 32-man squad for the northern hemisphere tournament.

World Cup squad members Martin Corry Jason Robinson, Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio have all retired , opening the door for the likes of loose forward James Haskell and 20-year-old Wasps flyhalf Danny Cipriani.

Cipriani, however, is only expected to get an opportunity off the wood, with Jonny Wilkinson firmly entrenched as the starting 10.

Centre Andy Farrell, 32, is holding onto the hope that Ashton won’t discard him. The Saracens man did, however, say that being omitted from the squad was a reality he had to face.

“I’m big enough to take not getting picked,” said Farrell. “At some stage in everyone’s career someone is going to come and take over.

“I feel my best rugby union is still ahead of me. I’m still learning and getting better with every game I play.”